Page 6 of Microburst

“Remove every De la Rosa from the castle,” I ordered. “None are welcome here anymore. I have no more family.”

“What?” he breathed. He muttered to someone to excuse him and there was a pause, but then he let out a shaky breath. “What happened? Talk to me.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore. I won’t let anyone else hurt her.”

“Her who? Sagan, please, talk to me,” he begged. “What is—”

“Get them out of my castle or you can get out and don’t fucking come back,” I snapped and hung up. I tossed my phone onto the couch and caught a glimpse of my reflection in the windows.

Standing with my wine glass, I went over there and then to the ugly mirror hanging in the living area from some guest room. I unclipped my hair and took off the magic that made my hair look like a fire dragon’s only.

My long, thick, dark pewter hair changed from shimmers of orange to shimmers of orange and violet… Or more the violet appeared. It was easier to cover them up than to try to change them to orange. Plus, I was different in this too because I had double the streaks of everyone else.

I had double the dragons, so it made sense.

I wasn’t sure how long I stared at myself in my true form, trying to remember the last time I’d seen myself like this even. There was noise in the main hall and then one of the guards tried to announce someone, but I didn’t even pay attention.

“Stand aside,” Benson ordered. “It’s an emergency.”

I snorted. I wasn’t sure he was wrong… But he wasn’t right either and was just being pushy because he could.

So I just tossed back the rest of my wine and went for the bottle, frowning when it was empty. I was reaching for another one when I heard a gasp and then suddenly he was next to me.

“I have so many questions, but I can’t think of anything but your hair,” he murmured. I flinched but saw he was staring at it when I reached for the bottle opener. “I forgot how amazing it was.”

“What?” I whispered and looked at him.

He met my gaze and did a double take. “It’s amazing. I always thought that, but I haven’t seen it on you as an adult like this.” He studied me and moved closer, actually reaching out and touching it which shocked me. He ran it through his fingersand then held up two different streaks. “I never thought the two colors would work together, but they’re so gorgeous.”

My lower lip quivered and I looked away and focused on my wine.

His larger hand covered mine and what I was doing. “Sagan, what happened? Why are you opening at least your fourth bottle of wine and have puffy eyes?” He tried to take it away from me when I didn’t answer, but I was stronger. “Why are you kicking Maple and Fraser out?”

“Did you give the order?” I asked instead.

“Yes, but they’re not just going to leave. They’re not—talk to me. Please?”

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” I whispered. “The reason doesn’t matter. None of it matters anymore. This is just where we are.”

“Of course it matters. If something happened, ofcourseit matters.”

I chuckled darkly and yanked the bottle away. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.” I moved so I could set it down and open it and then looked up at him. “And right now I hate you because they loved you.”

His eyes flashed shock. “What did someone tell you about your parents?”

“Nothing.” I snorted when he opened his mouth. “No one told me anything. I’m not lying. I’m not.” I snorted again and poured myself wine. “Just go. I’m not going to tell you even if I drink all of the wine in this fucking castle or ourwonderfulnation.”

I snorted yet again. I wasn’t sure there was really any other reaction to have right then.

I went to take a swig of my wine but froze when Treena was standing there like she’d never seen me before… And she hadn’t.Not like this. Myriam swore under her breath and Velle just waved for the bottle.

Yeah, fair enough. I handed it over.

And snorted.

I met Treena’s gaze and gave a half shrug. “I’m not hiding Eloise anymore. They all hate me anyways and I have no family—I never did. You have no idea how lucky you are to be loved and wanted. I would give anything to have a fraction of the love you have with your father.”

“What are you talking about, Sagan?” she whispered, her voice shaking. “What the fuck happened?”